Phil Edwards on his way to the Lamex Stadium

The versatile defender had been at Accrington for six seasons and played an important role for Stanley as they made the npower League 2 play-offs last season before losing out to Boro 3-0 on aggregate.

With Luke Foster leaving for Rotherham recently Boro were short on defensive cover and 25-year-old Edwards will cover a number of positions for manager Graham Westley.

Stanley were hoping to hold on to the 5ft 9in Edwards, with assistant manager Jimmy Bell telling the Lancashire Telegraph last week: “Phil has been offered a good deal and we’re quietly confident, although there have been a few rumours about one or two clubs being interested.

“But Phil has been here since he was young, he can’t drive, he gets looked after by the club and he gets lifts in to training, so he feels quite settled here.”